TODAY we launch the Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards 2014 to celebrate all that’s good in East Lancashire schools.

The awards aim to seek out the best pupils, schools, teachers and other staff and, at the same time, highlight innovation and best practice right across the area.

East Lancashire has some fantastic schools, rated outstanding by Ofsted and producing excellent exam results year after year.

But many feel the efforts of teachers and staff are frequently undervalued so the awards aim to acknowledge and reward excellence.

Award sponsors are: the North Lancs Training Group, BAE Systems, Nelson and Colne College, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Accrington and Rossendale College, Blackburn College and Key Stage Teacher Supply.

Entries are invited from teachers, parents, governors, pupils and anyone with knowledge of a particular school and can be submitted on the entry form which can be downloaded at www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/education_zone/schools_awards.

All schools are welcome to enter as long as they are based in the boroughs of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale or Chorley.

Individuals or institutions can enter more than one category but this should be made clear on the entry form.

The last date for receiving entries is Friday, May 23 and they can be emailed to: educationawards@nqnw.co.uk or posted to Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards, Editorial, Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 1HT. If you have any inquiries, please telephone Emma Broom on 01254 298205.

The winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony at Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, on Thursday, June 26.

All applications will be considered and entrants using the official form agree to accept the judges’ decision as final.